Any opinions on mini-vans?
George Browning
dig into the dull world of mini-vans... (actually my wife is
alot readier than I :) The two that we are leaning towards
are the Nissan Quest/Mercury Villiager and the Toyota Previa.
Any opinions that anyone has on these (or other similar vans)
would be appreciated...
Thanks
George Browning
geo...@aol.com
David E. Scheim
>Thanks
>George Browning
>geo...@aol.com
The Mitsubishi Expo looks like a great car. It's actually classified as
a station wagon, I believe, but has the layout of a small van and comes in a
7-seat model. It handles well, gets relatively good gas mileage, and is
not expensive -- my friends got a '92 last year for $14,000 with several
extras. I'm not sure about its safety record.
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DOUG CHRISTENSEN X3915 P6818
>
In an effort to reduce flamage, perhaps I can offer some things to look
at when considering a dull mini-van:
1) Ingress, egress. How easy is it to get in and out of the back seats.
Does it have back doors on both sides? Is the back seat close enough to the
to the door to reduce back strain when loading and unloading children. Do the
back seats recline? Can a child open or close the door (3 year olds insist on
this one).
2) Cargo space. Is there enough room from the back seat to the rear door. With
the back set down/removed, is the floor flat enough to load large/bulky items
(bicycles).
3) Is the nose of the van visible from the front seat or is it always sticking
out farther than expected (ouch!)?
4) Wind noise. Test drive it at speed. Do the sun roof/windows make way too much
noise. Wind noise does not cancel offspring noise.
5) Good A/C and heat. Is the climate control good enough to compensate for all the
windows.
6) Is it easy to change the oil? Is the engine accessable. Does it have enough
power (ARHH, ARHH, ARHH)?
7) Is it a car (station wagon) or a truck? Trucks and Vans do not include some
of the safty items required on cars.
BTW, your desision to buy a van on the second child does not fit the 325`th rule
of parenting. The 325'th rule states that you must purchase a new vehicle with
the addition of an odd number child (1,3,5,7...). I guess you have a dog too.
---
Doug Christensen SCCA SSB Scirocco 16V + 1 dull Nissan Axxess
doug_chr...@pts.mot.com
_____
_/_|__|\__
| _ |61| _ \
<-(_)----(_)-^ "When I'm racing, I'm alive. Everthing else
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ is just waiting." Steve McQueen, Le Mans.
Don Turnbull
tend to be priced well for their size. However, as a paramedic
for the last four years, I can't tell you that they are safe cars.
In accidents involving mini-vans, it has been my experience that
injuries are often worse than if the passengers were in a station
wagon. In fact, (I am also a college student) a professor in my
department is suing Ford because when his Astro was t-boned at
surface street speeds (25-40mph), two of his four children were
ejected out the back and killed. One of them was even in a safety
seat.
In other accidents, I have noticed that minis are less likely to
maintain interior integrity in roll overs and they seem to roll
quite easily. Finally, if the mini you want is not classed as a
station wagon, it is not required to meet the same standards as a
station wagon. In effect, minis are, in my opinion, not a good
family car. They are better suited as work vehicles for small
businesses and for small jobs in larger businesses.
In contrast, any of the full size station wagons (Ford Taurus,
Chevy Caprice Classics, etc...) are excellent family vehicles
with long, safe histories behind them. They all come with proven
components and enough room for a den of cub scouts or a pan (whatever
they are called) of Brownies. If you need more room, Suburbans
and Wagoneers are also very good, safe vehicles.
Finally, most minis are a class unto themselves. The class of 'minivan'
is largely unregulated as opposed to full vans and cars. The result
is an inexpensive vehicle with lots of space but little substance.
Al Chang
Based on insurance Injury/collision loss ratings:
overall severe collision
injury injury
Plymouth Grand Voyager 56 48 55
Voyager 66 58 59
Chevy Astro 70 69 54
Mazda MPV 75 75 89
Ford Aerostar 77 80 64
Ford Taurus 68 ? 88
Toyota Camry wagon 67 65 70
Volvo 740/760 SW 44 99
Caprice 37 63
This was published for 1988-90 vehicles, and they are based on
payouts.
Collision is cost to repair. Evalute for yourself. FYI, the chryslers
does not have air bags.
Al
--
******************************************************************************
Al Chang (516)346-6757, FAX: (516)575-0965, email: a...@calvin.grumman.com
Grumman Data Systems, 111 Stewart Avenue, MS D12/25, Bethpage, New York 11714
******************************************************************************
Al Chang
...
Based on insurance Injury/collision loss ratings:
overall severe collision
injury injury
Plymouth Grand Voyager 56 48 55
Voyager 66 58 59
Chevy Astro 70 69 54
Mazda MPV 75 75 89
Ford Aerostar 77 80 64
Ford Taurus 68 ? 88
Toyota Camry wagon 67 65 70
Volvo 740/760 SW 44 99
Caprice(no sep. sw rate)37 63
This was published for 1988-90 vehicles, and they are based on
payouts.
Collision is cost to repair. Evalute for yourself. FYI, the chryslers
does not have air bags.
Al
Forgot to say:
The lower the number the better.
<70 substantially better the average
80-120 average
>130 Substantially worse than average.